Aid inside Syria
The issue of safe access within Syria is very complex. Because it’s a polarised crisis, everyone considers that if you are not with them you are against them. So everybody might consider you their enemy if they have that in mind.
You have to make them understand that we are only with the people in need. We don’t care about their affiliation. We don’t care about their opinion. We never ask anyone: “Are you with the government, are you with the opposition?” It’s not our role.
My main job is to coordinate and follow up on Red Crescent operations. I certify that we have safe access and coordinate with everybody in the field to get the aid materials to reach the people in need in all areas.
‘We’ve paid in blood for our independence’
In the past two years we have lost 17 volunteers. So we’ve paid in blood for our independence and our care for humanity. We have been harassed by all parties. We have volunteers in detention right now.
There are still people coming to join the Red Crescent. We are still having training courses for first aiders and for disaster response volunteers. Young people in Syria find the Red Crescent the only channel to be active. The other option is sitting behind your Facebook, or sitting behind the TV watching the news.
We tell them: “Don’t watch the news – come and make it. Come and be part of it, so that other people can report what you are doing, helping the people. A stretcher needs four people to be carried. If you don’t come, the patient will not be carried out, he might die.
So each person who comes and volunteers for the Red Crescent has a role. And if he once in his life saves a life, it’s enough.
Khaled Erksoussi
Syrian Arab Red Crescent
Read more about the British Red Cross Syria Crisis Appeal.
